New Delhi | Congress Friday urged the Election Commission to prohibit Prime Minister Narendra Modi from campaigning in Kerala for Assembly elections over his remarks comparing child death ratio in the state with that of Somalia, saying he has distorted facts which amounted to violation of the model code of conduct.

In a memorandum submitted to the poll watchdog, the Congress said by resorting to unfair and baseless allegations which emanate from deliberate distortion of facts, the PM has dented the dignity and image of the electorate as well their elected government. It demanded appropriate action against Modi for violating Model Code of Conduct. Strictures should be issued against Narendra Modi reprimanding him for distorting facts and making unverified allegations, it said.

The Congress also demanded Election Commission to prohibit the PM from campaigning in Kerala during the Assembly elections due on May 16. In an election speech on Sunday, Modi had said that the situation relating to child death ratio among Scheduled Tribes in Kerala is scarier than even Somalia. He cited a tragic picture published recently in the media showing a Scheduled Tribe child foraging for food in a garbage dump.